Listening to music whilst camping

[Ethel's dad]

I never heard of this brand before but for their specifications seem to be

I agree with your point about placing the speaker on the table towards you. The Mini produces a directional sound that can be enjoyed at very low volumes.

Hi Tony, they have been around for years (1978) and have always specialised in hifi active speaker systems. I think that portable is a natural progression of their technology. No bells and whistles but sound, simple technology, oh and did I say they sound great

 

[Tony Beretta]

I will see if I can to listen to one of those.
A few days ago I was impressed with this one. Might get one soon if I find the right place for it in the Cali. It is made in Germany so I think they will get along together. Very well constructed.
https://www.teufelaudio.com/bluetooth/boomster-xl-p15634.html

 

[Yorkie]

As above a few posts,

Bose mini sound link powered off the otherwise ornamental inverter socket.

I found a use for the ornamental socket: charging an electric razor or electric toothbrush if you don't have the need

 

[markh]

Have chatted with Absolute Audio and they are looking into whether its possible and the implications

I'd be grateful if you could let me know the outcome for this. I've been meaning to switch my head unit over to the leisure battery for ages, but the 20 min switch off thing has stopped me from bothering. If there is a solution to this, it would definitely be worthwhile doing.

The standalone solutions are great but you're not really going to get the same sort of sound as from a multi-speaker ICE system.

 

[jonnyboy]

Will do Mark

 

[stephen watson]

I have a related question - listening to the radio whilst camping. I take delivery of my T6 soon and as it is beige was rather assuming Radio 4 would some how be plumbed in for the UK market. Apparently not. I have a mini bluetooth speaker which will be fine for music - but what do folks do about listening to their favourite radio station, assuming they don't want to use a wifi or data connection on their phone? Can anyone recommend something please? I'm assuming it would need to be a small portable radio - ideally something that could be charged via USB or the 12V system and even better something that could connect to a bluetooth speaker?

 

[Andy80F]

Roberts Sports DAB is a constant companion. Tiny little radio and it has a speaker, okay for close use but through an external speaker for bigger sounds. It's not Bluetooth though so check your speaker has an input port. I also have a Pure move which is a better radio, still small, but the Roberts is usually in my bag anyway. Recharges from mains or you can get, usefully, a USB charging lead as battery life is modest as its small size would suggest. The Pure Move would be my recommendation though for just van use or one of many DABs out there.

 

[stephen watson]

Roberts Sports DAB is a constant companion. Tiny little radio and it has a speaker, okay for close use but through an external speaker for bigger sounds. It's not Bluetooth though so check your speaker has an input port. I also have a Pure move which is a better radio, still small, but the Roberts is usually in my bag anyway. Recharges from mains or you can get, usefully, a USB charging lead as battery life is modest as its small size would suggest. The Pure Move would be my recommendation though for just van use or one of many DABs out there.

Thanks Andy. The pure looks good. It says on the pure website that the headphones act as the aerial. It's unclear from the website as to whether the radio has an inbuilt speaker? Does it and if you just want to listen to it on speaker, without phones, does it work OK without aerial? Although no Bluetooth I presume you can also plug it into external speaker?

 

[Leffeblonde]

I have a related question - listening to the radio whilst camping. I take delivery of my T6 soon and as it is beige was rather assuming Radio 4 would some how be plumbed in for the UK market. Apparently not. I have a mini bluetooth speaker which will be fine for music - but what do folks do about listening to their favourite radio station, assuming they don't want to use a wifi or data connection on their phone? Can anyone recommend something please? I'm assuming it would need to be a small portable radio - ideally something that could be charged via USB or the 12V system and even better something that could connect to a bluetooth speaker?

You could also look at the Roberts Eco4 BT. Its a DAB / FM Radio with bluetooth. It works for us paired with my phone / ipad / spotify when not listening to the radio; its mains and battery and the sound is pretty decent though obviously not Hi-Fi. When not in use it lives in the under bench seat drawer.

 

[El Greco]

After much deliberation I finally bought the Pure Evoke H4. Not cheap but a really great sound with FM, DAB+ and Bluetooth. With the optional (not included with the radio ) but essential battery pack, all bases are covered.
Initially I was going for a good Bluetooth speaker but I also decided I wanted a radio to be used around the house so I blew the budget. It just remains to take it on a trip or two to see if I made the right choice.

 

[RoB5urf]

I listen to my favourite Radio 4 shows as podcasts via phone and Bluetooth speaker. Much more convenient IMHO. I subscribe to various shows and my phone downloads them automatically when they become available

 

[Andy80F]

After much deliberation I finally bought the Pure Evoke H4. Not cheap but a really great sound with FM, DAB+ and Bluetooth. With the optional (not included with the radio ) but essential battery pack, all bases are covered.
Initially I was going for a good Bluetooth speaker but I also decided I wanted a radio to be used around the house so I blew the budget. It just remains to take it on a trip or two to see if I made the right choice.

Nice looking radio. My little Pure Move has been bombproof for many years now and despite a couple of antenna replacements, clumsiness, and a battery pack change, daily use and many recharges to get to the point of needing a new battery pack I'd not wish to change it. Paying a little extra for a good brand radio makes sense when you factor the support, parts, and reliability it brings. However for me the external Bluetooth speaker, of which I have quite a few, allows more flexibility with inputs.

 

[jonnyboy]

So it seems there's no one ideal solution. My choices are:

• Use the fitted system, its either live with the ignition time-out or maybe wire up a switch to the leisure battery. Pro for this, is you're not having to take another speaker, charger etc, but cant be used outside/"upstairs"
• Bluetooth speaker, an extra piece of kit and charger cable. Listening to radio via a phone may use data allowance. Can be used outside/upstairs
• Bluetooth radio, another piece of kit and cable(s) to buy/store but flexible to move around like the speaker

Not the worst problems to have.....

 

[markh]

Use the fitted system, its either live with the ignition time-out or maybe wire up a switch to the leisure battery. Pro for this, is you're not having to take another speaker, charger etc, but cant be used outside/"upstairs"

Did Absolute Audio have a solution to the 20 minute switch off thing? I think these even occurs when wiring to the leisure battery.

 

[jonnyboy]

Hi Mark

Havent checked back with them yet. Work and actually trying to get away from it long enough to collect my Cali are taking priority

 

[Akvist]

I use a chargeble Libratone Zipp Mini with Bluetooth while camping, and with Apple Airplay when home. Great speaker, but somewhat pricey.

 

[Shaun Gourley]

Bose colour sound link, the reason for this is that it charges off a USB power bank so does not drain any of your leisure battery.

 

[Freeley]

Did Absolute Audio have a solution to the 20 minute switch off thing? I think these even occurs when wiring to the leisure battery.

May be different on the T6 but on my T5 09 head unit stays on until I turn it off.

 

[markh]

May be different on the T6 but on my T5 09 head unit stays on until I turn it off.

Hi Freely. Yes, I've seen your posts before about your mod to keep it switched on permanently. However, I've never really seen a definitive answer on exactly how to do it. Just some vague stuff about a relay maybe switching off the CAN signals. It would be great to have a clearer picture of what needs doing if anyone has one?

 

[nezzler]

Got this from Amazon, bluetooth as well as DAB radio for the same price of a speaker. Surprised how good it is, not cranked it up fully as the bellows allow free movement of sound around the site!

AZATOM ® Multiplex D1 DAB FM Compact True Digital Stereo Speaker System - Dual Alarm - Clock Radio - Wireless Bluetooth - Rechargable - USB Charging - Future Ready - British Design Technology https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015XXGGH4/?tag=vwcalifornia-21

 

[Teejay]

Bose colour sound link, the reason for this is that it charges off a USB power bank so does not drain any of your leisure battery.

How many watts of power does the Bose need, I wonder if it can be charged/powered from the Euro connector using the supplied two ping plug.

...me...

 

[Pineweasel]

How many watts of power does the Bose need, I wonder if it can be charged/powered from the Euro connector using the supplied two ping plug.

...me...

Yes, no problem and usefully a 2 pin euro plug is included with it. I don't think it consumes very much power. I've charged mine many times without noticing any particular drain on the leisure batteries.

 

[Mo!]

As above a few posts,

Bose mini sound link powered off the otherwise ornamental inverter socket.

Hi GJ - is that using the 2 x pin variant of plug that the Bose comes with please?

 

[GrannyJen]

Hi GJ - is that using the 2 x pin variant of plug that the Bose comes with please?

No, I have a two pin to three pin adaptor. I bought it off the club shop about three years ago.

 

[ChrisandPenney52]

UE Boom Bluetooth Speaker.
Expensive but very good.


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Same here. Very marginally preferred the sound of a Bose I was comparing when I bought it, but went for the robustness of the UE Boom because you really can drop it on a concrete floor, and it's waterproof. My daughter appropriated it while she was staying with us and was so impressed she bought her own. Also have a Ravpower 21000mA USB power pack which is great for off grid camping.


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